[46] And an argument arose among them (the disciples) as to which of them was
the greatest. [47] But when Jesus perceived the thoughts of their hearts, He took
a child and put him by His side, [48] and said to them, “Whoever receives this
child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent
Me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

46-48. Jesus takes a child in His arms to give His Apostles example and to cor-
rect their too-human ambitions, thereby teaching all of us not to make ourselves
important. “Don’t try to be a grown-up. A child, always a child, even when you are
dying of old age. When a child stumbles and falls, nobody is surprised; his father
promptly lifts him up. When the person who stumbles and falls is older, the imme-
diate reaction is one of laughter. Sometimes this first impulse passes and the
laughter gives way to pity. But older people have to get up by themselves.

“Your sad experience of each day is full of stumbles and falls. What would be-
come of you if you were not continually more of a child? Don’t want to be grown-
up. Be a child; and when you stumble, may you be lifted by the hand of your
Father-God” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 870).

49-50. Our Lord corrects the exclusivist and intolerant attitude of the Apostles.
St. Paul later learned this lesson, as we can see from what he wrote during his
imprisonment in Rome: “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but
others from good will [...]. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pre-
tense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice” (Philippians 1:15, 18).
“Rejoice, when you see others working in good apostolic activities. And ask God
to grant them abundant grace and that they may respond to that grace. Then,
you, on your way: convince yourself that it’s the only way for you” (St. J. Escriva,
“The Way”, 965).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

One day the Sons of God came to attend on the Lord, and among them was Satan. So the Lord said to Satan, Where have you been? Round the earth, he answered roaming about. So the Lord asked him, Did you notice my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth: a sound and honest man who fears God and shuns evil. Yes, Satan said but Job is not God-fearing for nothing, is he? Have you not put a wall round him and his house and all his domain? You have blessed all he undertakes, and his flocks throng the countryside. But stretch out your hand and lay a finger on his possessions: I warrant you, he will curse you to your face. Very well, the Lord said to Satan all he has is in your power. But keep your hands off his person. So Satan left the presence of the Lord.

On the day when Jobs sons and daughters were at their meal and drinking wine at their eldest brothers house, a messenger came to Job. Your oxen he said were at the plough, with the donkeys grazing at their side, when the Sabaeans swept down on them and carried them off. Your servants they put to the sword: I alone escaped to tell you. He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. The fire of God he said has fallen from the heavens and burnt up all your sheep, and your shepherds too: I alone escaped to tell you. He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. The Chaldaeans, he said three bands of them, have raided your camels and made off with them. Your servants they put to the sword: I alone escaped to tell you. He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. Your sons and daughters he said were at their meal and drinking wine at their eldest brothers house, when suddenly from the wilderness a gale sprang up, and it battered all four corners of the house which fell in on the young people. They are dead: I alone escaped to tell you.

Job rose and tore his gown and shaved his head. Then falling to the ground he worshipped and said:

Naked I came from my mothers womb,

naked I shall return.

The Lord gave, the Lord has taken back.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

In all this misfortune Job committed no sin nor offered any insult to God.

An argument started between the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side and then said to them, Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.

John spoke up. Master, he said we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him. But Jesus said to him, You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.